Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passes resolution seeking restoration of special status amid uproar by BJP

The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly passed a resolution on Wednesday calling on the Union government to initiate talks with elected representatives to restore the region’s special status, which was revoked in 2019.

The resolution was moved by Jammu and Kashmir’s Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary as soon as the assembly session began. It reaffirms the importance of the special status and constitutional protections that safeguarded the region’s identity, culture, and rights, and expresses concern over the removal of these provisions.

“This Assembly emphasises that any process for restoration must safeguard both national unity and the legitimate aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” the resolution said.

The move was opposed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members, including Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, who argued that the resolution was not part of the scheduled business for the day. Sharma criticised the motion, calling it a “rat race” and asserting that it would have no impact.

“The Act was passed by the biggest temple of democracy in the country — Parliament,” he said.

In response, members from the National Conference (NC) and other parties shouted slogans in favour of the resolution, leading to chaos in the House. BJP members tore copies of the resolution and threw them into the well of the assembly.

Amid the uproar, Congress MLA Nizamuddin Bhat accused BJP members of dishonouring the legislative process and violating parliamentary rules. He said every member had the right to speak on the matter.

Despite the disruption, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather moved to put the resolution to a voice vote, and it passed. Following the vote, BJP members stormed the well of the House in protest, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the session for 15 minutes.

In 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government revoked Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which had granted Jammu and Kashmir special autonomous status. The region was then reorganized into two separate Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.